Britons planning trips to European Union countries should not apply for the Etias visa waiver yet, despite more than 150 websites advertising the service. The travel industry group Abta issued the warning as the European Union continues to delay the rollout of its new entry system.
Non-EU citizens, including British travellers and visitors from the US, Australia and Canada, will eventually need to pay €20 (around £17) for an electronic waiver to enter the Schengen zone. The system, called the European travel information and authorisation system, or Etias, has no confirmed launch date.
The proliferation of third-party websites offering to secure Etias waivers for travellers has created confusion. Many of these sites charge fees above the official €20 cost and may mislead applicants about the necessity of using intermediaries. Abta's guidance warns against using these unofficial services.
The Etias system is designed to screen travellers from visa-exempt countries before they arrive in Europe. Once operational, eligible citizens will apply online, pay the fee, and receive approval typically within minutes, though processing can take up to 96 hours in some cases. The waiver is valid for three years.
The EU introduced the Etias concept to tighten border security across the 27-member bloc and the associated Schengen area countries. The system mirrors processes already used by the United States and other countries requiring advance authorisation from visa-exempt travellers.
Repeated delays have pushed back the original launch dates. The continued postponements have allowed scam websites and unofficial service providers to fill the information gap, potentially costing travellers money for services they could obtain directly and cheaply from official channels when the system eventually launches.
Travellers should wait for official announcements from EU authorities before submitting any Etias application. The legitimate system will be free to access through an official EU website once it becomes available.